SHE DID IT!!!!!!!

Not that we worried but Shari graduated! Yesterday Shari walked with her classmates and accepted her college diploma. I am so proud of you! Shari nothing makes me more excited than to see you succeed. I love you, Shari! Congratulations.

Where Were They Going Without Ever Knowing The Way!

This Song by Fastball back from my junior high days got me thinking about people with an invincibility complex (you know the people..."Nothing bad could ever happen to me!"). We always look at these people as inexperienced or dreamers or even immature (well, they tend to be teenagers). But is this really fair. Is an invincibility complex actually our natural reaction to a perfect world? What I mean by this is that we were created to live in a world without sin, without death, without pain, and without tears so wouldn't it be natural to view the world from this perspective? Let me know what you think.

They made up their minds
And they started packing
They left before the sun came up that day
An exit to eternal summer slacking
But where were they going without ever knowing the way?

They drank up the wine
And they got to talking
They now had more important things to say
And when the car broke down they started walking
Where were they going without ever knowing the way?

Chorus:Anyone could see the road that they walk on is paved in gold
And it;s alway Summer they'll never cold
They'll never get hungry
They'll never get old and gray
You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere
They won't make it home
But they really don't care
They wanted the highway
They are happy there today , today

The children woke up
Ancouldn't couldn't find 'em
They left before the sun came up that day
They just drove off
And left it all behind 'em
But where were they going without ever knowing the way?

Anyone could see the road that they walk on is paved in gold
And it's always summer, they'll never get cold
They'll never get hungry
They'll never get old and gray
You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere
They won't make it home
But they really don't care
They wanted the highway
They Are happy there today , today (repeat)

"To Err is Human"?

So here is my question...If we were created perfect (Adam and Eve), is it really human to sin?

Would we be living beneath our potential as created beings because we sin, and in fact be less than ideally human? ....Less than human?

If we are human than what is God going to restore us to at the end? More than human?

I think the best look we have at our glorified bodies is right in the beginning of Genesis.

This is what happens when you work an 11 hour day doing inventory, counting pencils and notebook paper!

R-U-4-86!

So had a customer that came into the store today...This particular customer is one who comes in quite often so often in fact that we've nicknamed him Dr. Huxtable since he often will wear srubs into the store, and he has this commanding presence that you just can't get away from.

Well, today he came in and I don't mind helping him, he's kind of bossy but not a bad customer. Well, anyway I was helping him and he got a phone call. It was a patient and obviously the woman on the other end thought she was pregnant he was talking her through figuring out whether or not she was, and just seeing an episode of the Gilmore Girls with a prenancy scare, that's the feel I got from the phone call. Well, all of a sudden this "opposite of Dr. Huxtable" started talking about the benefits of RU-486 the latest greatest abortion pill. My jaw hit the floor I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He went on to say that you just take three pills and then you'll have a long menstral period and it will be all over. Then he said something about how she should come in the entrance on the side of the building to avoid the protestors.

All I can say is that I have over the years dealt with abortion by voting republican and trying to forget about it. God always seems to put issues like this back into my head when I forget.

What!?!

So we told the teens that we are leaving on Sunday night. This is what we were dreding. Almost coming to tears the week before was thinking about telling the teens.

They reacted pretty much like we thought they would the ones who are tough acted like it and didn't say much and just wanted to do other things. Some girls cried, and some went into uncontrollable giggles. It was different, one kid was getting on my nerves because he wasn't handling it well. I almost kicked him out.

All in all it went well. I just have to keep reminding myself that God will take care of them.

"Joel...I've eaten all the saltines...we need to shop..."

So I got home from work last night and was met at the door by my wife saying that we needed to go shopping. I thought about it and couldn't remember the last time that we had shopped. Its not like we are starving or anything, but just haven't had time so went shopping...

not a particularly great story but atleast I posted something...

Well, its time for a change...

I read this letter to the church on Sunday Morning.

It is with a great mixture of sadness and excitement that I share some important news with you. For the past year, God has presented the spring of 2006 as an important time in Shari’s and my life. Most of you know that on May 6th Shari will be graduating from Cornerstone University. This brings us to a point in our lives where we are ready for transition and feel God leading us to a new ministry. Because of this, last week at their regular meeting I offered my resignation to the church Deacon Board.

I wanted to take some time and thank you for the wonderful opportunity that you gave one of your own to come and work alongside you and learn more about ministry. Thank you so much for all of the support that you gave us by your prayers, kind words, and volunteering to help with Vacation Bible School, Youth Group or The Net. Our time here has been a blessing on our hearts.

We are extremely excited for the next phase of our lives, because God has offered two excellent opportunities for ministry. We had hoped to know definitely what direction we would be headed in today so we could share that with all or you, but unfortunately we do not. Please pray for us in the next few weeks that we will have wisdom and peace in the decisions we have to make. We will gladly share with you the direction that we are taking when we know ourselves. We are anxious to see what God has in store as we take this next step in our journey of faith.

Our final Sunday of ministry at Ithaca Baptist Church will be on May 14. We will then be fortunate enough to travel to Europe with family for the marriage of my brother Jacob, after which, we will begin ministry with one of the churches. Thank you again for all of your love and support.

huh

Wow its been a while since I've posted on this site. I must say that to all of you who have faithfully checked to see if anything new has been posted - I'm sorry. My life of late has been more than hectic.

More to come...

Trip to Arkansas!

The Mystery Penny

So this morning I went to the gas station - I was out of gas. I checked my wallet (I lost my debit card on Sunday) and I only had $18 so I told myself "you can't go over $18." So I did my best. I usually don't care if I go over the dollar amount (The whole Jerry Signfeld AMEX commercial) because I usually pay at the pump. Well, after that I had a ADD moment and wasn't paying any attention and realized right at precise moment and just let go of the pump and it miraculously landed on $18! I was so excited. I couldn't believe what happen I just stared at the $18.00 on the screen. Anyway I put the pump back on the rack and twisted the gas cap back on, and I turned around and just happened to glance at the screen again. Something was wrong it didn't say $18.00 it said $18.01 I couldn't believe it (in case you weren't counting that's two unbelievable moments in less than 10 seconds - I figure that's pretty good). So astonished I went the the car and dug and found several pennies that were glued together from spilled pop in the bottom of the cup dispenser. I pried it out and walked inside barely holding onto this penny. I paid and as soon as that penny left my hand I realized that they had one of those Need a Penny Take a Penny things...Bummer!

11:30 and a sick wife...

So last night I came home from work and was met by a very sick wife. I took her to the Urgent Care Center (that is right behind our house). She had an ear infection and a repritory virus.

Well, we went to Wal-Greens to get Shari's perscriptions and I gave the Pharmasist our insurance information and it wasn't going through...and it wasn't working..."This is not cool! I was getting upset and frustrated. Finally he decided to take the time to call the insurance company...we waited and we waited finally he started talking to someone and then...HE LAUGHED! I was too tired and upset to care what he was laughing about. But he was laughing..."You gave me the wrong birthday for Shari..." I never forget dates. I aced histroy...I don't forget dates... it was rather funny...but probably prophetic for the rest of our marriage.

Desperate for Money

This is nuts...I don't know how big the market would be for this, but I did think that the cookbook would sell very well.

Cable Television

So, I have a brilliant cable provider. They are the biggest in the country! Well, when we first moved in we got a special promotional rate which ended near Christmas. Well, Comcast called at Christmas time and offered us an additional 3 months on the promo rate. So we took it. Well, its been 3 months and all of a sudden our digital cable box turned off and wasn't working. I called comcast and they thought we were having an outage. Four days later when the technician comes to the door he tells me that when the promotional date came and went they dropped me down to this $13 plan which is only supposed to be a few channels, but apparently my TV's can get about 70. So I'm paying a fraction of what I was paying before but getting everything that I had.

Oh how I love Comcast...

Funny Story

So, one of my leaders also works for the State and teaches sex classes for high school students. Part of her curriculum is to teach boy how to put condoms on - so they put them on bananas.

Well, I had to go some where just before our church's children's program got over when I came back a dear elderly lady was waiting for me at the door saying that a parent just called and their child forgot their homework so we needed to find it. This dear eldery lady, who I might add is celebrating her 90th birthday this summer, said that another leader had it at one point. So, I immediately thought to myself that he put it in my office. So that's where both of us headed to.

Well, on my desk there sat a banana with a condom on it. Not wanting this dear elderly lady to see it. I ran over to the desk and hid it from view. She never saw it, and I threw the condom and banana away. But the problem now is that people come and clean the church on Friday's and they are going to find a used condom in my trash can - at church!

What a day

A long time coming

So its been a little while since I've posted. That's ok...

All of my fans will eventually wonder if I'm still writing and pop back over and read this little tidbit of my life.

So the cable downstairs has gone out. It's kind of crazy because I love waking up in the morning and having a couple of hours on the couch before I have to go to work, and watch SportCenter and Fox News. But now I have to stay in bed. I know, I know. Lie down or lie down. I guess I started a rutine and I just don't like to break them too often.

We'll see how it goes and see if I need to do anymore ranting about Comcast in the next couple of days.

Sno-Camp 2006 MADE

Check this vid. out!

MADE: Who Are You Going To Be?

OfficeMax Closing 110 Stores

Well, we don't know which stores, but I'm told its not going to be mine. I really hope not! That would not be cool.

Funny Kid Moment

Joel: Hey look what I found.

Kid: You found my lunch box. Now I wont be grounded until I'm ten.

Joel: Wow! That sounds like a long time.

Kid: No, not really I'm only eight.

She finally tells all

You almost feel sorry for her, and ok. Almost as if she's justified in what she did. That she had good reason. That being said I'm glad Lindsay is out and says that she's done with drugs.

The joys of retail...

Rant

AHH, retail... There is nothing like it. For those you who don't know much about it let me define some words for you so that one day when we're sitting around talking that we will understand each other...(These many only connection to OfficeMax, but maybe not).


Q-Tip - A customer who is tall and all white on top.

senility - What an old man who shouldn't have a computer convinces his wife to buy one and then brings it back w/o a power cord to have us show him how it works.

Ad on - What you didn't think you needed when you come in, but are glad you got after you left.

Cashier - Last person in the building who has the chance to sell you something else.

Greeter - "How can I help you (spend your money) today?"

A quick change artist - Some one who gets a little more change that what they deserve.

A slow change artist - The woman who takes ten minutes to search through her purse because she is sure that she has correct change!

Customer Service - I'm sick of returns!

Just a few. Please add to the list!

Mrs. Wolfgang

So, even though in June she got the name. Today she is officially Mrs. Wolfgang.

Shari is starting her student teaching and we'll see how it goes. She's working in a young 5s class, and has 41 students. Those of you who know Shari know that this is perfect for her.